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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 26, 2005
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan and Ambassador to Iraq Zal Khalilzad
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon, everyone. Let's get started. We are pleased to have Ambassador Khalilzad here today. He participated in a briefing with the President on the latest developments in Iraq and the political process being made. And I thought I'd bring him by the briefing today and let him update you all on the situation in Iraq, and answer any questions you have. And once he's done, I'll be glad to take whatever other questions you have. So, with that, I'll just turn it over to the ambassador.
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Thank you very much. The Iraqi people have taken another major step towards building a new democratic political order. I want to congratulate Iraqis on the announcement by the independent election commission of Iraq, the draft constitution has been ratified to the October 15th referendum, with 63 percent of the Iraqi people turning out to vote, and 78 percent of the voters casting their ballots in favor of the draft constitution.
This is a landmark moment for Iraq. It places Iraq in the vanguard of nations in the broader Middle East, moving toward a system of government that is based on the will of the people, and that will respect the rights of all individuals.
Success in Iraq, both for Iraqis and for Americans, depends on whether the Iraqi leaders can agree on a national compact, a vision for the new Iraq that has the support of Iraq's communities. The ratification of the constitution signals major progress towards that goal.
In negotiating the constitution, Iraqis on all sides of all major issues worked towards compromise. Sometimes the talks were difficult and some of the compromises did not come easily. We can take heart that the process of overcoming differences through negotiations, not conflict, has begun to take root. Also, for those who voted against the document, an avenue exists for further changes that can be made by the next assembly. Like the U.S. Constitution, this is a living document that can be adjusted, if necessary, to reflect the values and needs of the Iraqi people.
There were no winners or losers among the Iraqi people. By casting his or her vote, every Iraqi was winning a victory for democracy in Iraq. The only losers in this referendum were the terrorists and the Saddamists who want to destroy the democratic aspirations of the people of Iraq. Though more remains to be done to overcome the divisions in Iraqi society, the process of forging and implementing a national compact is underway.
I will continue to work with the Iraqi leaders to facilitate this process as they move toward national elections in December and the formation of a new government. It's important to avoid becoming jaded about events as historic as this constitution. This is a breakthrough for this region. Never before has a major country in the Arab world freely elected representatives to a draft -- to draft a constitution that would then be submitted to the people for ratification in an open, free, and fair process.
Iraqis have vindicated the fact that the ideas of rule by the people and the sanctity of individual rights are, indeed, universal; that they can be the basis for politics and government in the Middle East, just as they have been in successful countries in the Americas, in Europe, and parts of Asia.
Americans should be proud of the role that we, as a nation, are playing in Iraq. We are supporting the needed political and economic transformation of the broader Middle East because authoritarianism and repression breeds the kind of terrorists who struck us on September the 11th. Yet, we are fighting not just with armed forces, but also with the power of ideas of freedom and democracy. It is in favor of these ideas and the hopes and the possibilities that spring from them that the Iraqi people have so resoundingly voted.
Thank you, very much. I'll be glad to take your questions. Yes, ma'am?
Q You spoke about the -- there's more that needs to be done to erase the divisions in the Iraqi society. What do you think is the biggest hurdle there?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Of course, there are several issues on which the Iraqis are divided at the present time. One is on the issue of federalism. Some Iraqis see federalism as a way to keep the country together; others see it as a way to -- as a pathway towards fragmentation. They have reached a compromise because there has been an acceptance in the constitution of the principle of federalism, but at the present time it's limited only to the Kurdish area. But the next assembly will decide whether and how many additional federal units will be formed.
There's also a difference of view with regard to the role of Islam, and they have reached a compromise on that, which respects the role of Islam, but at the same time emphasizes the principles of democracy, as well as the human rights -- there are many of which have been enshrined in the constitution -- are respected. Those are among the issues that have separated Iraqi communities from each other. But I think the compromises were arrived at. Additional changes and compromises will be necessary in the coming months.
Q A couple questions. Why are you confident that the Sunni "no" vote was a vote to participate in the new Iraq, and not a rejectionist vote? You said last night that there could be substantial U.S. troop reductions in a year -- why? And how much of a problem is the new regime in Iran?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: With regard to the first issue, if you look at the elections that took place in January, very few Sunnis participated. That indicated they didn't have confidence in the process. In the constitution referendum, they participated in substantial numbers.
Q But they didn't like it.
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Well, some liked it. The majority of Sunnis -- still we have to assess, but the majority may have voted against it. But some significant Sunni forces supported the constitution, and that was progress. And today, as you see in the statements that have been made by the leaders of the Sunni community, they are saying they will participate in the elections. And I want to remind everyone that in the package agreement that was made just prior to the referendum, there was the notion of additional changes that could be made to the draft, now to the constitution, in the next assembly, and that more than 50 articles in the draft constitution requires implementation laws to be passed by the next assembly. So being in the next assembly will also affect possible changes in addition to the normal amendment process that's also present in the constitution and also the next government that will be selected.
So the Sunnis by their participation -- and we'll encourage them and we'll work with them as we work with others that they should participate -- could be not only significantly present in the next assembly, but also perhaps as part of the next government in Iraq. So the idea of winning the Sunni people over to the political process, isolating the terrorists and extremists and Saddamists, is a necessary element for winning, for succeeding in Iraq. And in my view, given where we were eight or nine months ago, we have made significant progress with regard to that goal.
On the troop reductions, I have said that these current numbers of troops, 138,000 or so, and the composition of the forces that we have there, and their mission are not ends in themselves for us. What it is, is Iraq being able to stand on its own feet. That's the end, Iraq succeeding. And as the political situation changes, as the Iraqi capabilities grow, we need to -- we will adjust our -- the size, the composition and the mission of our armed forces, because the military commanders are very focused on this, they will make recommendations to the President. But I do believe it's possible that we could adjust our forces, downsizing them in the course of next year. That's possible, given the positive political developments and continuing growth in the capabilities of the Iraqi forces. But that decision, of course, will be made the by President, based on the recommendations from the commanders.
Q What's your analysis of the Iraqi insurgency at this point? Are they growing in numbers? And can they ever -- will they finally be defeated, or will they just simply be tamped down?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: I think that the insurgents and the terrorists remain strong. They present a significant challenge in Iraq. But I believe that they're on the wrong side of history, that the people of Iraq are moving away from them, including the Sunni community. They will ultimately be defeated. The question is not whether, but when. And it will depend -- the pace of progress against them will depend not only on our military strategy, but also on the political progress. This problem will not be solved by military means alone. We need an integrated approach, which we are -- which we do have, of political progress, military progress, including the growth of Iraq capabilities; also progress with regard to the neighbors, because at least two of the neighbors are playing unhelpful roles, and a change in their policies also will affect the pace of progress.
Iraq will succeed. It will take longer if the neighbors play an unhelpful role. It can happen at a faster pace if the neighbors play a positive role.
Yes, sir.
Q Related to that, Mr. Ambassador, key figures in this administration had declared the end of this insurgency, or the insurgency being in its last throes, or that they were dead-enders quite often. In fact, the insurgency continues and it's strong. What sustains it? Why is it popular, number one? And number two, why is it that if Iraq and an emerging democracy is supposed to be a beacon of hope for this part of the world, why aren't there more Muslim, Arab leaders who are stepping forward and working hard with you and the leaders of this government to make terrorist acts and insurgent violence less fashionable, when it is fashionable, it appears?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Well, first, as I said before, that the insurgency and the terrorists remain a formidable challenge, strong, and their defeat will take time and will require progress on multiple tracks. With regard to the success of Iraq being a beacon of hope for the region, the process of doing important things, big things such as transforming an important country like Iraq, very difficult, very complicated things. We are a very impatient people. We want to see change, even big changes, happen very quickly. But, in fact, state and nation building, the kind of transformation that we have taken on in Iraq -- if you look at the history of the world, you see the transformation of other important countries takes a long time.
And therefore, it is going to take time here, as well. And the struggle for Iraq is not only -- some Iraqis were not brought on to this new Iraq and their attitudes are changing. I talked about the Sunni Arabs, that positive changes have taken place. But it also is a struggle, in a sense, for the whole region. And therefore, you have forces from outside Iraq very much participating. And that's why I talked about some of the neighbors, that they're playing a helpful role. And that also is an important fact. And, in fact, the struggle for Iraq is a struggle for the whole region.
And last, your point on the neighbors, I think we're -- they're differentiating themselves from each other, that's changing. You saw the Arab League, for the first time, send the Secretary General -- I have visited a number of Arab states, neighbors of Iraq; they promised to play a positive role. Some of them are sending ambassadors. I think for them, for the Arab world, too, this is not an easy thing to accept, this kind of transformation of Iraq into a democratic state. And so there are difficulties, of course, but I think we're making progress on that score.
Q Can I follow up --
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Yes.
Q Can you help us understand why there is this measure of popularity for an insurgent campaign that results in people's heads being cut off and children blown to bits? Can you help us explain why there's -- why that's fashionable in certain quarters in this country?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Well, there is support in some quarters, as you say, for the insurgents because the change that's taking place has a change in distribution of power very decisively in Iraq. Where a particular group and particular individuals governed, now power is exercised through participation of a much broader community. And some people in Iraq are driven by nostalgia. They think they can take Iraq back to the old days. Some are driven by fear to support the insurgency.
What we're doing through this political process is to deal with people's legitimate fears, that there is a role for them, that their rights can be protected, they can participate. But nostalgia, that going back to the previous order -- the old order is dead. It's not coming back. And they can have a positive role to play, that their fears -- legitimate fears can be dealt with. And people adjusting to this monumental change takes time. And I think, as I said before, we're making progress.
Q Mr. Ambassador, have you been able to measure any kind of impact of the Zawahiri letter in Iraq? And can you tell us who that letter was addressed to? Because there was a reference in there to say, please pass along my greetings to brother Zarqawi, should you see him, so it would suggest that that letter was not written to him directly?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: It's my understanding that the letter was directed from Zawahiri to Zarqawi, and that it reflected, among other things, the plans of the terrorists for Iraq. And it had an effect on the Iraqi leaders that I have discussed this with -- we have shared the letter with them. The American people, of course, need to know that the stakes are very great, and this letter -- in Iraq -- and this letter demonstrates that, that were we to abandon Iraq, what we will have is an effort by the terrorists to establish a little caliphate, and that then to strike out from Iraq at the neighborhood and beyond.
Q But what's its effect on the Arab street been?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Well, I have not had any data on it with regard to the Arab street, but I can say that based on my conversation with the Iraqi leaders, they were -- their intensity of dislike for Zarqawi and Zawahiri, of course, were further intensified by the contents of the letter.
Q Just a follow-up -- just a follow-up on -- you talked about nostalgia for the old days, which is dead. One way I know that you're trying to illustrate that is with the trial of Saddam Hussein. But apparently, his lawyers just said that they were going to suspend all contact with the special tribunal because they're afraid for their lives. So if you have lawyers for Saddam Hussein who can't represent him, how can you illustrate a fair trial?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Well, the process has to be fair, and we will work with the Iraqis to make sure that all necessary measures are taken to provide as much protection and security as possible to the lawyers or the witnesses. We have focused on the witnesses and on the court and on -- for Saddam, and the others accused of committing crimes against Iraqi people, and we'll have to expand that level of effort to include others.
We have urged the Iraqis and are working with them, that, of course, it's very important that Saddam and his associates be brought to justice, but it has to be done in a fair and transparent and credible manner. And, of course, as I said, this is an ongoing process. There are people who still support Saddam Hussein. I said there are Saddamists as part of the insurgency and the terror network that are there. And, therefore, they will seek to disrupt, they will seek to kill people, and they have no scruples, as you know, using kids, targeting kids, killing teachers, killing women and children. And of course, it's a difficult environment, but there's -- progress is being made.
Q Is that something that's already in the works, getting more security for them?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: We are working with Iraqis to -- and we're prepared to entertain steps that may be necessary to provide security for people.
MR. McCLELLAN: We have time for two more for the Ambassador.
Q Can I follow up on Terry's question, please? Terry asked a great question about Iran. And Iran has been making some incredibly hateful statements about Israel, about destroying Israel, today. What is the U.S. going to do? How is it ever possible to change minds and intents among this Iranian government?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: That points out to the challenges that we face, and the necessity for change and transformation of this region. The turn of this region has come. For hundreds of years you had dysfunctional Europe that produces ethnic conflict, it produced religious conflict -- we had religious wars, we had even wars that became global wars. And in the aftermath of World War II, transformation occurred in Europe, and we have a better Europe. And then we focused on containing the Soviets. They posed a strategic challenge and it took a long time, and transformation occurred there.
Right now the main source of security problems around the world are from this region, the broader Middle East, as we call it. And we didn't go looking for the problems of this area; they came looking to us. They came -- September 11th is the biggest manifestation of that as far as our people, our own security here is concerned. So now, strategic -- the defining challenge of our time is the encouragement of a positive transformation, a change in mind-set and relationship, and how they organize themselves for this region. And we had considerable success, beginning with Afghanistan.
We're facing a huge and difficult transformation in Iraq. Success in Iraq, success in Afghanistan will set the stage for a longer-term transformation of this region, a necessary transformation. And I think that, as I said before, this is the defining challenge of our time. We can't escape from it. We have to have clear goals and be adaptive and smart about the tactics and the strategy that we follow.
Q What are you going to do --
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Of course, we are opposed to Iranian policies with regard to Israel, we're opposed with regard to their nuclear policy, with regard to their support of terror, with regard to their negative policies in Iraq. There is a long list of concerns that the President and other senior leaders have spoken with regard to Iran.
I'm not responsible for Iran. I've got my hands full, as you can imagine, in Iraq. But I think you know where the administration policy is.
Q Mr. Ambassador, you have seen a free Afghanistan and now, free Iraq. And because of that, you said, and the President said many times, that it's because of the will of the people. Now, how much outside interference do you see in Iraq and Afghanistan? Are there people still loyal to Osama bin Laden still and a hurdle in the coming months and years for democracy -- or democratic Iraq and Afghanistan?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Well, I would talk about Afghanistan because of the -- I spent a good 18 months there. Afghanistan, in my view, strategically is on the right trajectory, and I wish President Karzai and the Afghans all the best. They were great hosts when I was serving there.
But with regard to Iraq and the terrorist threats, bin Laden and his network is a significant challenge. Zarqawi and his associates, whether foreigners or Iraqis, present a significant challenge. They need to be defeated in Iraq. It will take time because should they succeed in Iraq, it will make Afghanistan under the Taliban, with al Qaeda there, as child's play. And I will tell you why.
In Iraq, you have many more resources, oil and gas. In Iraq, you have a more talented, in terms of education, skilled people. In Iraq, you have a strategic location. And imagine all of that falling into the hands of a terrorist network with global reach and ambitions. So whatever you think of how we got into Iraq, I believe the forces are configures such now in Iraq that we have no option but to succeed. And that will require adaptability, adjustments with regard to tactics and strategy. But we have taken on something extremely important and now forces are engaged, and we need to prevail, and I believe we will prevail.
MR. McCLELLAN: Bill, let's make this the last one. Then I'll take some questions. The President is going to be speaking shortly.
Q Thank you, Ambassador. The reconstruction in Iraq has been slower than anticipated. The oil production, electricity production, is not what was projected. There's rationing, there are attacks. Why has it -- why has it been so difficult to rebuild the economy in Iraq? And what kind of progress do you expect to make now that they have a constitution and a government formed?
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Well, first you have to recognize that you are doing this reconstruction in the middle of a conflict with the terrorists and insurgents targeting the reconstruction effort as part of their war against the Iraqi people. And their targeting has added to the costs of reconstruction, because you have to worry about security.
Quite a significant number of people who were involved in reconstruction have been killed by the terrorists and insurgents. We don't recognize that adequately. But with the difficulties that have been there, a considerable number of projects have been underway. More than 2,000 projects have been underway; quite a significant number of projects have been finished. There has been significant addition, in terms of the power generation, although the demand has also expanded so that the distribution -- people may not see the addition of number of hours because of the increase in demand. The American people have contributed to that.
But for success, we do need progress on the political track, progress on the security and military track, and also need progress on the economic track. And progress in one can affect positively the other. And we have made some changes with regard to our reconstruction program, focusing more on smaller projects, more on the provincial level, more Iraqi companies and, of course, we're also making sure that the American taxpayers' money is spent appropriately with good accountability.
Thank you very much. Thank you, thank you.
MR. McCLELLAN: Ambassador, appreciate it.
AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD: Thank you.
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, I'm here for whatever other questions you all may have.
Q Scott, the Ambassador described the nature of the insurgents and their various different agendas and motivations, and we're constantly told that they are being debilitated. What is the current estimate of the actual numbers of insurgents? Is it a group of 2,000 spread across Iraq, 5,000? How do you estimate the actual size?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that our commanders on the ground are the best ones to answer the questions about numbers like that, or estimates in terms of numbers. But keep in mind, you have former regime elements, and then you have terrorists who are coming into that country, and seeking to transit through countries like Syria, and come in there and carry out attacks. Because, as the ambassador talked about, the Zawahiri-to-Zarqawi letter highlights the stakes involved, and it talks about the nature of the enemy. They recognize that Iraq is central front in the war on terrorism. And that's why it's so important that we succeed there.
And there's great progress being made on the political front and the security front, as you just heard from the Ambassador. And we must continue to support the Iraqi people as they move forward. There are difficulties and challenges that remain. And that's why we've got to continue to train and equip those Iraqi forces as they take more and more responsibility for their future.
Q Scott, with what looks like indictments pending in the CIA leak investigation, what's the anxiety level like here at the White House? What's the atmosphere in the hallways?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, there's a lot of speculation going around, and I think there are a lot of facts that simply are not known at this point. It remains an ongoing investigation, and we'll let the special prosecutor continue to do his work. And I'm sure he will have more to say in due course.
In terms of the White House, this White House is focused on the priorities of the American people. We're working on the priorities that the American people care about. The President has had a very busy day. He started his morning focused on the highest priorities facing this country, which is winning the war on terrorism and protecting the homeland. He had a good discussion just a short time ago with congressional leaders to talk about how we can move forward to continue to support the people in the Gulf Coast region who have been affected by the hurricanes, but do so in a fiscally responsible way. They had a lengthy discussion about how we can find spending offsets and rescissions in spending to help fund what is needed going forward to support the people, as they get back up on their feet and rebuild their lives and their communities in the region. The President also had a meeting, as you are aware, with Ambassador Khalilzad, to talk about current events in Iraq, and how we support the political process going forward.
So we're continuing to focus on what the American people care most about. Those are the things that we can do something about. We obviously continue to follow developments in the news. And I'm sure when the special prosecutor has more to say, he will do so at the appropriate time.
Q What's the anxiety level like as you wait through this process to see what's going to happen?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've got a lot of work to do, and so we don't have a lot of time to sit back and think about those things.
Q So you're losing yourself in your work, is that what it is?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're focusing on what the American people care most about, and that is winning the war on terrorism, succeeding in Iraq, addressing high energy prices -- which the President will be talking about here shortly -- and helping the people in the Gulf Coast region recover and rebuild.
Go ahead, Dave.
Q I'm going to divert momentarily. Harriet Miers -- there's a picture emerging, despite the fact that the President keeps trumpeting her qualifications, that she appears in meetings with Republican senators to be singularly unimpressive. Why is that the case, do you think? And what are you prepared to do about it?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know that I would agree. She has had 28 courtesy visits now with members of the Senate.
Q You can count them, but the Republicans are saying publicly that they're not prepared to throw their weight behind her yet.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you're seeing a lot of members of the Senate saying, we want to hear what she has to say in the hearings, before they make a judgment. And remember, with Chief Justice Roberts, he had gone through confirmation hearings before. A couple years before he had been confirmed to the Supreme Court, so there was a familiarity with his views and his experience and his judicial philosophy.
With Harriet Miers, there are many in the Senate that simply did not know her previously, although she is widely respected within the legal profession. She is someone who is highly qualified and in a unique position to bring a different perspective to the United States Supreme Court. This is still early in the confirmation process. The hearings will give people an opportunity to ask her questions where she can talk in more detail about her experience and her background and talk about her judicial philosophy. It's a philosophy that is based on interpreting our Constitution and our laws, and not making law from the bench. And we're confident that senators, as they come to know her, will recognize that she will make an outstanding member of the United States Supreme Court.
Q But first impressions matter, too, and they're not just first impressions, because numerous lawmakers have had some experience with her as -- in her role here at the White House, and she does not seem to be making --
MR. McCLELLAN: Not numerous. I mean, I think some have, but not to a large extent. And certainly, the senators from the state of Texas know her well and they are strongly supportive of her, and as others come to know her, I think they will be, as well. But these are courtesy visits. This is an opportunity for her just to start to get to know the members of the Senate and for them to start to get to know her. She is also providing additional information. She'll be sending some additional responses to questions to the Senate today. And then she looks forward to going before the Judiciary Committee and answering their questions.
Q Everything is A-okay on this --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're continuing to move forward on the confirmation process. I think what you're seeing is the confirmation process play out. And senators who don't know her are reserving judgment. And we respect that. That's part of their role to play.
Q Just real quick on the questionnaire that's being sent up. Will there be additional documentation going back up with this questionnaire like there was last time?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, it's being finalized and it will be going up later today. And we'll get you all --
Q Are you releasing --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the Judiciary Committee will provide all that information to you once it goes out. I don't have all the information in front of me to talk to you about.
Q But it will be documentation, not just the questionnaire?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, they're working to get -- in terms of additional documentation that you talk about, we want to make sure the Senate Judiciary Committee has the information they need to be able to move forward on the confirmation process. The President talked about the important principle that needs to be respected, but we're going to continue to work with them as they move forward.
Go ahead, Goyal.
Q First, quick correction -- the Festival of Lights in the White House will be on Tuesday, not Wednesday. Now, my question is --
MR. McCLELLAN: Let's go to quick question because we've got the President's remarks coming up so I can get to a few others.
Q -- quick question is that the President spoke on Iraq now the 2,000 died and all. I'm sure that no President wants to see that any one of its citizens will be or should be killed anywhere on this earth, including in Iraq. And this President doing his best to free --
Q -- quick question.
Q Question.
Q The question is that, who are those people who are killing in Iraq? Where they are coming from, those terrorists that -- they are killing Americans and Iraqis?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I actually just talked about that in response to Carl's question at the beginning of my question period. So I think I'd refer you back to that. The President talked about it at length yesterday, and talked about the nature of the enemy that we're facing there.
And in terms of the sacrifice that is being made, there is tremendous sacrifice that is being made to lay the foundation of peace for our children and grandchildren. We mourn the loss of every one of our men and women in uniform who have lost their life in Afghanistan and in Iraq as they carry out the global war on terrorism. Our men and women in uniform are doing an outstanding job, and they understand the importance of the mission that they're working to complete. And we will be forever grateful, particularly for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms and lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.
Sarah, go ahead.
Q Thank you. Scott, today's suicide bombing in Israel shows again that there are terrorist organizations in the Middle East that don't want peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The President -- the Palestinian President wants to include some of those organizations in the political process. But Israel is totally opposed to it. What is the President's position on including Hamas and others? And do today's events change this position?
MR. McCLELLAN: I appreciate your question. A couple of things. First of all, the suicide bombing that took place today in northern Israel is a heinous attack on innocent civilians. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Our condolences go out to the families of the victims and those who have been injured. I think the latest report I saw was that four people had lost their lives and a number of others had been wounded in this terrorist attack.
The Palestinian Authority needs to do more to end the violence and prevent terrorist attacks from being carried out. The terrorist attacks that take place only undermine the leadership of President Abbas, and undermine his principle of one authority, one law, one gun. President Abbas is a leader who has expressed his commitment to peace and his commitment to moving forward based on the one law, one authority, one gun principle. And the President and President Abbas had a good discussion about that last week.
Our views on Hamas are very well-known. Hamas is a terrorist organization; it needs to be disarmed, it needs to be dismantled. We've made that very clear. And you can't have organizations involved in politics that are also carrying out attacks, or armed outside of that political process. We've made that very clear. And it's up to the Palestinian Authority to make it clear to Hamas that as long as they continue to engage in such activities and are armed, there really is no role for them to play in the political process.
Q Scott, just one question today. Since I presume the President is concerned with both education and equity, the trustees of American University here in Washington fired President Benjamin Landner and gave him a severance package of $3,750,000. And my question: Is the President at all concerned about this, or sympathetic with the students and faculty who are protesting?
MR. McCLELLAN: Maybe I forgot to announce at the beginning, the American University press briefing will be later this afternoon. (Laughter.) But direct those questions over there.
Q The President is concerned about this, isn't he?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's a decision made by the board of American University, and they can answer for those decisions.
Mark, go ahead.
Q Scott, can you tell us what the President is going to see in Florida tomorrow, what message --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm glad you brought that up. We, by the end of the day when we put out the schedule, should have more details for you. But the President will be going to Florida tomorrow and I think he's going to be going to the Hurricane Center and touring some of the area that has been devastated by Hurricane Wilma. And I know he looks forward to visiting with residents in Florida, if that is possible, as well. He would like to do that. So it will be similar to other trips that we have taken in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, but we'll get you more details this afternoon.
Q The National Hurricane Center?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think that's the plan. But, again, we're still finalizing that. So we'll get you more information this afternoon.
Q When you say -- it's up to the Palestinian Authority to make clear to Hamas that they can't be armed and participate in politics, does that mean that the President does not believe Hamas should be participating in elections?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we've made our views very clear on Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization. It needs to be dismantled; it needs to be disarmed. And as I said, our views are clear; you can't have an organization operating outside of the legal structures within a democratic state.
Thank you.


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Essex () is a county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south and Greater London to the south and south-west. The county town is Chelmsford, which remains the only city in the ceremonial county until Southend-on-Sea is formally accorded city status. For the purposes of government statistics, Essex is placed in the East of England region.There are four definitions of the extent of Essex, the widest being the ancient county. Next largest is the former postal county, followed by the ceremonial county with the smallest being the administrative county – the area administered by the County Council, which excludes the two unitary authorities of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea and the areas administered by the Greater London Authority.
Anneslie, Anthonyville, Arcadia, Armistead Gardens, Baltimore Highlands, Banner Neighborhoods, Barclay, Belair - Edison, Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc., Berea

subset: commoncrawl


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I need 24 Help
I have no tolerance for watching TV series on the network's schedule. If a series gets good reviews, I will watch it on DVD (e.g. Serenity, Deadwood, Rome, Sopranos, Alias, Wonderfalls, etc). In this same vain, I watched the first season of 24 straight through and really enjoyed it. The second season was OK but weaker and less believable (even a hard-core libertarian paranoiac like myself had trouble buying the cabinet coup). Plus I got about the same feeling when the Kim Bauer character was on-screen as I did when there was Anakin-Padme dialog in the last Star Wars movie.
So I am a third of the way through season 3 and I am having trouble really getting into it -- maybe the threat is not immediate enough at the mid-point. Should I stick it out? Is there anything out there left worth seeing? Is there anything interesting in seasons 4 or 5 that bring back what made the first season great?


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Happenings During the Mesozoic Era (248-65 Million Years Ago)
Time:248 to 65 million years ago
(See the geologic timescale!)
At the start of the Mesozoic, the continents were all joined together forming
one large continent called Pangaea. During Mesozoic time, they pulled apart
from one another. Continents move due to plate tectonics.
- The climate most likely remained warm throughout the Mesozoic. No evidence of glaciations has been found in Mesozoic age rocks and abundant evidence of tropical species has been found in Mesozoic age fossils.
- During the last part of the Mesozoic (called the Cretaceous period) the climate warmed very much. Earth was several degrees warmer than it is today. There was much less variation in temperature between the equator and the poles at this time.
- There is strong evidence that global cooling occurred at the end of the
Mesozoic. The cooling may have been caused by either a huge asteroid impact
near the Yucatan Peninsula, a large amount of volcanic eruptions in the area
that is today India and Pakistan, or by a combination of both the asteroid
and volcanoes. The Sun would have been blocked for some time by the debris
spewed into the atmosphere.
Evolutionary Events:
- Dinosaurs evolved and became abundant! Some were herbivores (eating plants) while others were carnivores (eating meat). Dinosaurs were reptiles, however there is some evidence that they may have been warm-blooded.
- Birds: During the late Mesozoic, birds evolved from a group of small carnivorous dinosaurs.
- Plants: Conifer trees evolved at the beginning of the Mesozoic. The first flowering plants evolved towards the end of the Mesozoic.
- Mammals evolved during the Mesozoic but there were relatively few species and they were small in size. During the Mesozoic, mammals were eaten by carnivorous dinosaurs.
- At the end of the Mesozoic, the Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass Extinction occurred.
This was the extinction event that killed the dinosaurs (among others). Many
of the animals and plants that survived the extinction event (such as mammals
and birds) went on to become very abundant afterward. Likely causes of the
extinction event include a large asteroid impact, erupting volcanoes, and
climate change. There is evidence that all three of these happened.
Last modified August 23, 2009 by Jennifer Bergman.


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Last Mile Logistics: Key to Competing in the Retail Race
For U.S. retailers with broad global supply chain operations, "last mile"—the portion of transit from the final delivery center to the customer's door—is really the last hundreds of miles from the destination port to the store. This crucial part of logistics, which accounts for the majority of a shipment's cost and complexity, is becoming increasingly difficult for retailers to manage.
To a certain degree, retailers are victims of their own success. As global sourcing expands and companies become more proficient at managing inbound supply chains, container trade between Asia and the United States continues to explode. This places a growing burden on the U.S. intermodal transportation infrastructure.
This burden will become more troubling to retailers, according to trade forecasts. Inbound container traffic will continue to grow, congestion at and around ports will pose larger delays, and transporting product—and ultimately, revenue—from the ports to the shelf will be increasingly difficult, particularly during peak season. How well retailers manage the last mile inside the United States plays a critical role in their ability to compete.
As the importance of last mile distribution excellence increases, so does the value of U.S. logistics assets—trucks, distribution centers, land, people, technology, and anything else that helps cargo move smoothly and efficiently.
Just look at what companies are willing to do to buy and protect U.S. logistics assets. The Dubai Ports deal was only the latest example of a foreign company accepting a large price tag for U.S. assets.
Deutsche Post's multi-million-dollar acquisitions of DHL and Airborne Express had UPS and FedEx spending millions on Capitol Hill to protect their U.S. markets. And Netherlands-based APM Terminals, the terminal management division of Maersk, is building a costly new facility in Virginia that will be one of the world's most advanced marine terminals.
Foreign companies realize the importance of last mile logistics control inside the largest consumer market in the world. Why? They know that what occurs after containers are dropped at U.S. ports can make or break a logistics strategy. Retailers that have control over this portion of their supply chain will be market winners.
A responsive last mile supply chain allows retailers to meet demand, manage seasonal peaks, and drive hot merchandise to the shelf quickly and efficiently.
Information technology is essential for providing last mile visibility, control, and flexibility. But technology by itself is only a tool. People and effective business processes drive results. To get those results, retailers need real-time control of various assets on the ground to maximize sales and reduce logistics costs as much as possible.
Keep Your Options Open
Three critical factors control inbound last mile logistics today: options, options, and options. Can you feed imports quickly into your distribution network from ports on both coasts? Do you have the right crossdock and consolidation facilities in the right places to build cost-effective truckloads? Do you use pool distribution to streamline store delivery? Can you bypass your DCs and go right to the store to move hot merchandise if necessary?
As the importance of last mile logistics control grows, the answers to those questions will continue to have a great impact on retailers' overall competitive position.


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WAYNE ROONEY joined Manchester United's exclusive 200 club, scoring twice as the Red Devils opened their Champions League campaign with an encouraging win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Rooney put United ahead midway through the first half with a first-time effort from Patrice Evra's cross, although Bayer Leverkusen argued with some justification that an offside Antonio Valencia had impeded keeper Bernd Leno.
Still, it did not look like being a particularly memorable night for the England forward when an inexplicable failure to either tap into an empty net or provide an opportunity for Robin van Persie to do so after he had skipped round Leno was followed within a minute by Simon Rolfes' equaliser.
However, Van Persie soon restored United's advantage before Rooney entered the history books as he seized on the loose ball after Emir Spahic had got his head to David de Gea's long punt downfield and finished with ease.
It was a landmark effort that meant Rooney emulated Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and Jack Rowley in reaching 200 United goals.
More importantly in the short-term, it launched David Moyes' Champions League career in the perfect style as Rooney provided a late fourth for Antonio Valencia.
Although Moyes has said on numerous occasions since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson he had managed in the Champions League, deep down he must have known this was different to a final qualifier against Villarreal for Everton.
And the Scot could have been pretty pleased with his side's efforts during the half efforts.
New boy Marouane Fellaini brought the unfussy approach his manager said he would, content to let more flamboyant team-mates work their magic further up field.
One of that number was Shinji Kagawa, whose continued omissions, whilst explained away perfectly plausibly by Moyes, were starting to attract attention.
The Japan star was heavily involved in most of United's attacks, including their opening goal.
Kagawa was overshadowed by Rooney though.
There was never any real doubt the forward would have put all the summer conjecture about his future to one side once it became obvious he would be remaining at Old Trafford.
Still, it is pleasing to see how hard he is working, something England coach Roy Hodgson might be very thankful for next month when he tries to secure a World Cup berth.
Rooney had an early shot blocked by Spahic, with Van Persie also firing wide in a solid if unspectacular start.
Chris Smalling, making his first appearance of the campaign, looped an effort over off his back before United opened their account.
Aesthetically, it was wonderful.
A Ronaldo-esque dance from Van Persie by the touchline bamboozled the Leverkusen defence, then Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Kagawa were all involved in sending Patrice Evra darting towards the by-line.
His cross was met by Rooney, whose shot bounced over Leno.
What Slovenian referee Damir Skomina - and the rest of his officials - had missed was Valencia virtually falling into Leno as Rooney's shot came towards them.
If Valencia was not interfering with play, it is hard to see how anyone ever could be.
Van Persie's decision to engage in a face-to-face row with Skomina was not the wisest choice and brought him a booking.
Still, with Kagawa coming agonisingly close to a second just before the interval, United did not have a lot to concern them.
That confidence was badly shaken not long after the restart.
As he glided round Leno, Rooney looked certain to tap home.
Instead, he rolled his effort beyond the far post, too far in front of Van Persie to enable the touch that would also have doubled United's lead.
Both Moyes and, in the directors' box, Ferguson, struggled to comprehend how United were not two up.
To make matters worse, the visitors immediately went down to the other end and equalised as Leverkusen skipper Rofles met Heung-min Son's lay-off perfectly and saw his curling effort take the slightest deflection off Carrick before finding the corner.
It took a moment of genius from Van Persie to restore United's advantage, hooking Valencia's cross in with a semi overhead kick that left Leno so startled he could not react quickly enough.
Once they were back in front, United were in no mood to surrender the initiative again.
Rooney's landmark goal came 20 minutes from time before he set up Valencia for his first European goal in nearly two years.
Omer Toprak pulled one back after a goalmouth scramble caused by De Gea's failure to punch clear before Van Persie failed to convert from barely a yard.
Still, for Rooney – who left to a standing ovation – and Moyes, it was a very pleasing evening indeed.


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We come across a disguised Team Rocket, pretending to run a Pokémon Day Care and promising they can evolve anyone's Pokémon in two hours! A young boy named Ian agrees to let them do just that. He leaves his Magby with them. Later, when Ian runs into our heroes and tells them what he's done, they become suspicious of such a claim. But when they all go back to the Day Care, it's gone!
Ian immediately decides to tell his mentor, Bertha, about it. Brock is shocked to recognize Bertha as a member of the Elite Four, but Bertha asks Brock not to tell anyone. Bertha begins to guide Ian and our heroes in paying close attention to the details of the situation, and they soon come across the disguised Team Rocket in yet another location, trying to steal more Pokémon.
Some fierce battling ensues, with Bertha teaching and demonstrating the "power of observation." But when Team Rocket attempts to outfit their Pokémon with what they dub "Powering-Up Parts," that is the last straw! Team Rocket is sent blasting off again, while Magby is safely returned to Ian.
Bertha and Ian thank our heroes for their help. Bertha asks if there is anything she can do in return. After discovering she's a member of the Elite Four, Ash requests a battle with her. Although Ash and Torterra lose the Battle to Bertha and Hippowdon, Ash gains valuable experience and practice with the power of observation, and Dawn discovers how valuable careful observation is for her and her Pokémon Contests, as well!


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Woman Wins Lottery With Fortune Cookie Numbers
We've all seen the "Lucky Numbers" on the back of furtune cookies, but have you ever thought to actually play those numbers in the lottery?
That's exactly what a woman in San Jose, California did, and now she's $400,000 richer. Merces Goncalves used her fortune cookie numbers in the March 4th drawing of the California Lottery Mega Millions. She matched five of six winning numbers for a total win of matched five of $421.811.
She picked the five winning numbers,10, 29, 31, 35 and 45, from the numbers on her fortune. The Mega winning number was 10 and if she had gotten that one, she would have won $240 million. She is still perfectly pleased with her win though. She told ABC 7 in San Francisco that her and her husband will take the honeymoon trip they couldn't afford when they got married 52 years ago.
Moral of the story, maybe we should pay a little more attention to those "Lucky Numbers" next time we eat Chinese food.


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Except for the money, prestige, lifestyle, and career, I sometimes feel a wee bit like Anna Wintour.
Or maybe the resemblance is closer to a Romulan.
I use Windows now, so maybe it feels more Romulan.
I ordered these glasses back in mid December and they arrived today. It's my first eye exam and new pair of glasses in 6 years. Or maybe 7.
It was a wee bit too long to wait - my other glasses were chipped, scratched, and missing a nose bridge. They were falling apart.
I'm not sure what I'll be sewing this weekend, but I will have the Superbowl on and I will be rooting for the 49ers. I might even kiss my biceps once or twice. (Thanks to the rowing machine at the gym, I now have biceps. They scare me a little.)
Have a good one!


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Alternative Wheel: Other seasonal cycle stories
When this column started, it was all about exploring different ways of thinking about the wheel of the year, reflecting on aspects of the natural world to provide Pagans alternatives to the usual solar stories. It's still very much an alternative wheel, but there's a developing emphasis on what we can celebrate as the seasons turn. Faced with environmental crisis, and an uncertain future, celebration is a powerful soul restoring antidote that will help us all keep going, stay hopeful and dream up better ways of being.
The grain harvest
Lugnasadh, or Lammas, marks the end of the grain harvest, the time for celebration as all the crops are in. Yesterday, I walked in the Cotswolds, and I saw a great many ripe but un-harvested fields. In other years, I've seen it all come in well before Lugnasadh, and I've also seen the harvest fall much later. In wet summers, the crops can fail, and there is nothing of the grain to celebrate.
For me, this highlights an issue of Pagan disconnection from the Wheel of the Year. We celebrate the grain harvest at Lammas (the name means 'loaf mass') but most of us will not have been involved with the harvest, or even have an inkling as to when it happened in our locality. Not all areas are grain growing either. Does it even make sense to celebrate this festival if you live in an upland area that grows sheep, not corn?
For our ancestors, the grain harvest was a big part of the agricultural year, and everyone worked. Well, everyone who wasn't very wealthy. Pre-industrialisation, most people worked on the land. If you were a strapping bloke, you'd be out reaping. The less able would be out there bundling up sheaves, ferrying food and drink to the reapers, and generally helping out with the process. After the harvest, poor women and children in a parish were able to come in and glean the leavings. Those gleaned grains were critical to the survival of poorer households.
In a context like that, you know exactly when the grain harvest comes in – no calendar date needs setting, it happens when it happens and the whole community is involved. As we moderns don't have that direct connection to the grain, all too often, that leaves us with the possibility of honouring this as an ancestral date, or trying to forge a more immediate relationship with what's in the fields.
In many ways what Lugnasadh marks is the start of harvest season – soft fruit will come in over the end of summer, apples and nuts come later in the year through to the final, bloody harvest of Samhain when livestock were traditionally slaughtered. The exact process of your harvesting will vary depending on landscape, climate, that year's weather, traditions and so forth. It is in many ways the unpredictable nature of harvest that underpins the earth based religions. We do not know what we will get from one year to the next and can only hope the gods will be kind to us.
Saturday, 02 August 2014
I live in a very warm climate, so there's literal harvesting going on here throughout the year, and I don't think grain is harvested here at all (lots of fruits and veggies, not so much grain). I tend to honor Lammas more as an ancestral holiday and a time for thanksgiving. I acknowledge that it was an important time for many of my ancestors, and I give thanks for their survival and hard work, without which I wouldn't have the blessing of life. I also say a prayer/blessing for the workers of the world who do the jobs that keep everything running; this year it was specifically for women, who do most of the world's work for only one percent of the wealth.
Anyway, thank you for the post! I always enjoy your writing -
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Im sure this is a subject that keeps coming up and up, i live in a 1960's 3 bed semi with a solid brick party wall.
I have new neighbours with 4 children so now have a problem with everyday noises coming through, fortunatly not music just tv, talking, shouting and running up and down stairs, As it seems to be general noise i know its not something i can change.
Anyway i plan to build a free standing stud wall, with a 25mm airgap between it and the the existing wall, use Rockwool RWA45 75mm and 2 layers of paster board.
Could anyone offer any advice on doing this and if im using the best stuff, also if i should use a specific plasterboard for soundproofing.
The final thing is, they are plannng to do a loft conversion next year and they seem to be the sort that will just throw a floor down and call it a room.
Does anyone have any ideas as to how this will effect us regarding the noise?
I hope ive made some sense, many thanks.


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Scott Clog Clinic Returns with More Toilet Humour
Installment Two in the Clog Clinic campaign features Mike Ditka getting preachy about flushes in a weird PSA-style ad, lends advice on what to do about tired old plungers, and invites you to test your flush savvy.
Additionally, users can win $25,000 for sharing their cloggiest moment. We shit you not. Join here if so inclined, and while you're at it join this contest for a pimp throne. The opportunities for media- (and not just regular) whoring in bathrooms are more numerous than we thought.


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Bruce Springsteen Tacks on Late Fall 2012 North American Dates
Bruce Springsteen has certainly made the most of touring in Europe this summer, but "The Boss" will be back in the good ol' U.S. of A. this fall.
Not touring his homeland hasn't really hurt Springsteen so far this year, as his European run has already generated over $80 million in global box office grosses, currently second behind Roger Waters as the top tour of the year.
Springsteen just announced 16 new U.S. and Canadian dates, beginning Oct. 19 in Ottawa, Ontario and running through Dec. 6 in Glendale, Ariz. The latest dates serve as the second North American leg, following a late summer run that kicks off with two nights at Boston's Fenway Park Aug. 14-15.
Tickets for the Kansas City show go on sale Aug. 3, with the St. Paul and State College going on sale a day later (Aug. 4). Hartford goes on sale Aug. 10; Denver Aug. 13; Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Hamilton, and Louisville Aug. 17; Omaha Aug. 18; and Glendale (Sept. 15), Charlottesville (Sept. 14), Oakland (Sept. 21), and Vancouver (Sept. 28) going on sale next month. On-sale dates for Portland and Anaheim have yet to be revealed.
Bruce and the E Street Band have had a memorable summer overseas. In Paris, Springsteen invited his full-grown daughter to join him onstage to dance to the classic track 'Dancing in the Dark.' The Roots were surprise guests with Bruce in Denmark. The London Hyde Park show made worldwide headlines when officials pulled the plug on Springsteen and special guest Paul McCartney due to curfew violations. A few days later in Dublin, Bruce pulled a six-year-old duet partner out of the audience for a performance, and most recently Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt made a surprise appearance at the Norway Memorial concert.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Fall 2012 Tour Dates:
10/19 — Ottawa, Ontario — Scotiabank Place
10/21 — Hamilton, Ontario — Copps Coliseum
10/23 — Charlottesville, Va. — John Paul Jones Arena
10/25 — Hartford, Ct. — XL Center
10/27 — Pittsburgh, Pa. — CONSOL Energy Center
11/1 — State College, Pa. — Bryce Jordan Center
11/3 — Louisville, Ky. — KFC Yum! Center
11/11 — St. Paul, Minn — Xcel Energy Center
11/15 — Omaha, Neb. — CenturyLink Arena
11/17 — Kansas City, Mo. — Sprint Center
11/19 — Denver, Colo. — Pepsi Center
11/26 — Vancouver, British Columbia — Rogers Arena
11/28 — Portland, Ore. — Rose Garden
11/30 — Oakland, Calif. — Oracle Arena
12/4 — Anaheim, Calif. — Honda Center
12/6 — Glendale, Ariz. — Jobing.com Arena


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10 Must-Try Travel Apps
Travel smarter for business and pleasure with these travel apps that deliver last-minute hotel deals, sightseeing discounts and even customized packing lists.
July 30, 2013
Even with all the shortcuts available today, travel requires a tremendous amount of preparation. Trips abroad introduce extra complications such as longer flights and currency exchange rates. Details including the times you choose to visit certain attractions or directions for navigating unfamiliar territory can make or break your day.
Your smartphone can eliminate a good amount of your travel woes. Whether you need to book a last-minute trip extension, eat well during a three-hour layover or message your family back home, a smartphone app stands ready to help you become a smarter traveler.
For the early stages of your journey, download Kayak. This mobile travel app by Kayak.com helps you find hotels, price car rentals and browse flight options. With Kayak's price comparisons, you will know whether you're getting the best deal for each service. The app is free for iPad, iPhone, Android, Nokia and Windows Phone.
The filters in Kayak's search option allow you to browse according to specific criteria such as where you prefer to have a layover. In the category My Trips, your travel itinerary is at your fingertips.
It's important to note that although Kayak is a useful research tool and can be used to reserve hotel rooms and car rentals, it cannot be used to book flights. The app can be used to find the best available price, however, and will direct you to a page where a flight can be purchased.
In the latest version of the Kayak app, you can receive price alerts on your iPad for discounted flights, hotels and car rentals. Searches for cities and airports are now saved as well, so you can easily book future trips to favorite locations.
Kayak's website has been around for eight years, but the company recently switched its focus to mobile. Now, instead of using its website to influence its mobile app, Kayak designers are doing the opposite.
"I got to the point where I actually liked [the] iPhone app better than our website, I thought it was more aesthetically beautiful," said Paul English, co-founder and CTO of Kayak, in a statement to Gigaom. The app is easy to navigate, a quality that Kayak hopes to replicate on its website.
Travel and hotel reservations mark only the beginning of a traveler's journey. Take a look at the rest of these travel apps. A quick download could lead to less stress during your next trip.
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June 10, 2014
Do you have a technological obsolescence problem?
Call for Artworks in Existential Crisis
Deadline: July 4, 2014Towards exhibitions and events on the topic of preservation and new media art practices this Fall, InterAccess is calling for cases of artworks that are on the verge of technological obsolescence.
May 29, 2014
Next Week: Artemis Night Open Studio
Just a reminder: next Wednesday is the first Wednesday of the month, which means Artemis night in Open Studio! Reserve a spot on the bridge of the TSN InterAccess.On Artemis night, we do all the usual Open Studio stuff, like working on art and troubleshooting your projects, but we're also pretending we're in space. Get it?Come by between 7 and 10PM. Bring projects or problems, questions or curiosity. Always free. Redshirts welcome.
May 20, 2014
Computer Vision with OpenFrameworks
In the second of our three-part workshop on computer vision in OpenFrameworks, instructor Adam Carlucci leads us through the computer vision toolkit packaged with Open Frameworks' ofxCv library.This workshop is sold out! Stay tuned for more coding workshops coming up this summer.
May 14, 2014
Open Studio, 7-10PM
In last week's open studio:Luis is building a 909 drum machinePhil is working on his Korg Rhythm 55BWHO WON?!?!Other stuff happened too, and we learned lots of cool stuff about new LED array modules, but you'll never know if ou don't show up. Come by betwenn 7 and 10PM. Bring projects or problems, questions or curiosity. Always free.
May 8, 2014
Open Studio, 7-10PM
In Last Week's Open Studio:We Played Artemis and it was awesome. (Thanks Chris!) We had a small crew, but a large audience, and I think we put on a good show for them. The next Artemis night is the first Wednesday in June!Some of the good folks from NAISA were in working on interactive sound projects in Max.Random Project Help Requests: Hardware and software for multi-channel audio installations.
May 8, 2014
Call For Workshop Instructors
InterAccess is seeking workshop proposals from members of the art and technology communities for our Summer/Fall 2014 Education Programming. In recent years, our workshops have focused on building skills in contemporary new media art techniques including electronics, robotics, microcontrollers, and creative coding. For a larger list of recent programming, see InterAccess' past events here [ http://interaccess.eventbrite.com ]. InterAccess aims to to offer educational programming that is timely, relevant, comprehensive, and delivered by excellent instructors.
April 10, 2014
Toronto Star lists CURTAINS among Images Festival standouts
...A video installation that orders space as well as images, Lucy Raven's layered work unfurls on multiple screens and in three dimensions, creating an unease that goes beyond the visual.Its nominal subject matter, the exporting of labour in the animation industry offshore to places like India and China, has much broader reach than the film industry on which she's focused, and that's the point. Digital sweatshops a world away strip the magic from the artifice of the industry and lay bare a broader dialogue about global capitalism's fraught endgame.
April 10, 2014
Goings On About Town: Wearables!
There are a bunch of upcoming events in the wearables community for all you e-textiles types and circuit-curious.Tuesday January 28th, 7-9pm: Toronto Wearables Meetup rings in the new year with guest speakers sharing their work in generative design and textiles, and design-it-yourself eyewear. For more info and to RSVP, please visit: torontowearables25.eventbrite.ca
Wednesday, 7-10PM: Wearables Open Studio! In addition to our regular colorful cast here at InterAccess, Erin Lewis joins us to direct some wearables-specific projects.


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Your art residency in France
artistay is a service designed for artists throughout the world and from different cultural backgrounds, who are engaged in a professional process of research and creation.
We help you find a residency in France suited to your requirements, as part of a self-directed programme that will offer you the luxury to focus on a particular piece of work, to research and experiment with new ideas and techniques, to be inspired by a new environment and new people...
We work with a selection of professional artists residencies in rural locations throughout France.
If you are working on a project and need a residency in France in order to complete it, we can help you.


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Treating a person who has inhibitors can be a challenging experience for both the patient and the healthcare team. Often, the treatment is a two-fold process. First is to manage bleeding episodes and second is dealing with the inhibitor itself. Dealing with the presence of inhibitors, can take months or even years of treatment.
Low Responding Inhibitors
For those people who have low responding inhibitor levels, continued therapy with factor replacement is often possible. This therapeutic approach provides control of both minor and more serious bleeds. To overcome the presence of inhibitors in these cases, physicians may use a greater amount of factor and might have to provide additional doses.
High Responding Inhibitors
For people with high responding inhibitors, utilizing factor is, in many cases, not possible because the inhibitor neutralizes even the largest possible dose of factor. In these cases treatment is based on the type of hemophilia and the nature of the bleed.
During a life or limb-threatening bleeding episode, physicians can remove antibodies from the body using a process called plasmapheresis, which lowers the level of antibodies to allow treatment with factor concentrate to treat the bleed. However, this is a temporary solution and within a few days the body will produce large amounts of new antibodies. For the person with a high responding inhibitor, most bleeding episodes are treated using bypassing products that include prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs), activated prothrombin complex concentrates (APCCs) (i.e. Feiba VH, produced by Baxter)
These bypassing products contain other factors that can stimulate the formation of a clot and stop bleeding. While these treatments are effective, they do have limitations. If they are used too often they can cause bleeding or they can generate the over-production of clots. In general the main problems associated with bypassing products include the lack of uniform and/or universal efficacy, and at times, the development of excessive blood clotting where it is not wanted, called thrombosis. The production of clots may also be exacerbated if the person is being treated with antifibrinolytic drugs. Also, some bypassing agents contain small amounts of the deficient clotting factor, which can stimulate the continued production of more inhibitors, not allowing the inhibitor level to fall over time. Some of these bypassing products are manufactured from human plasma and are therefore at risk, although very small, of HIV and/or hepatitis transmission. No hepatitis B or C or HIV transmissions have been reported with the use of PCCs and APCCs over the last 16 years in the United States.
Recombinant factor VIIa (NovoSeven, produced by Novo Nordisk), is made by recombinant DNA technology. The drug, which was licensed for use in patients with inhibitors to factor VIII or IX and available in the United States since 1999, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of both minor and life-threatening bleeding. No human plasma proteins are used in its production, and it is not stabilized with albumin. Thus, the risk of transmission of human viruses is essentially zero. Multiple doses can be required to stop bleeding depending on the situation.
It is important to note that the proper diagnosis and treatment of inhibitors is complex, and there are many variables affecting treatment choice; no two patients or situations are identical. In all cases, these choices should be discussed with appropriate healthcare providers with expertise in this area.
Copyright National Hemophilia Foundation


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Rose Gold Marquise Cut Anniversary Rings
18ct Rose Gold Rose Gold Marquise Cut
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Used to symbolise never-ending love, thanks to their single unbroken band, Diamond Anniversary Rings are the perfect gift to show your love; whether the occasion be an anniversary or the birth of a child.
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